Quick disconnect hose coupling

Abstract

A coupling for connecting flexible hoses together is provided. The coupling includes male and female fittings both of which include integral shank and quick disconnect coupling portions. The shank portions of the male and female fittings each being insertable at least partially in a respective one of the flexible hoses for securing the fittings to the hoses. The coupling portion of the male fitting including a stem and the coupling portion of the female fitting being configured to receive and non-threadably engage the stem of the male fitting. The coupling portion of the male fitting including a collar movable between locked and unlocked positions such that in the locked position the male and female fittings are securely engaged and in the unlocked position the stem portion of male fitting can be selectively decoupled from the coupling portion of the female fitting.

1 . A coupling for connecting flexible hoses together comprising: 
 a male fitting including integral shank and quick disconnect coupling portions, the shank portion of the male fitting being insertable at least partially in one of the flexible hoses for securing the male fitting to the hose, the coupling portion of the male fitting including a stem; and    a female fitting including integral shank and quick disconnect coupling portions, the shank portion of the female fitting being insertable at least partially in one of the flexible hoses for securing the female fitting to the hose, the coupling portion of the female fitting being configured to receive and non-threadably engage the stem of the male fitting and including a collar movable between locked and unlocked positions such that in the locked position the male and female fittings are securely engaged and in the unlocked position the stem portion of male fitting can be selectively decoupled from the coupling portion of the female fitting.    
   
   
       2 . The coupling according to  claim 1  wherein the shank portions of the male and female fittings are ribbed.  
   
   
       3 . The coupling according to  claim 1  further including a pair of annular ferrules each being compressible over a section of flexible hose within which the shank portion of a respective one of the male and female fittings has been inserted.  
   
   
       4 . The coupling according to  claim 1  wherein the female fitting includes at least one locking element, the at least one locking element being movable between engaged and disengaged positions in response to movement of the collar between the locked and unlocked positions respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The coupling according to  claim 4  wherein the at least one locking element engages a groove in the stem of the male fitting.  
   
   
       6 . The coupling according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one locking element is one of a plurality of locking elements comprising locking balls.  
   
   
       7 . The coupling according to  claim 6  wherein the locking balls are retained on the coupling portion of the female fitting in both the engaged and disengaged positions by the collar.  
   
   
       8 . The coupling according to  claim 5  wherein movement of the stem of the male fitting relative to the causes the at least one locking element to move from the engaged to the disengaged position when the collar is in the unlocked position.  
   
   
       9 . The coupling according to  claim 1  wherein the female fitting further includes a spring that biases the collar towards the locked position.